“I’ve written an ebook about my experiences dealing with the Disease and surgery etc, which I really hope is inspirational to others in a similar position” says Julie. “My book is for sale from my website and a £1 from the sale of each book goes to IBD research.”

For more information, and to buy a copy of Julie’s E-Book please visit: crohnsdiseaseandbeyond.co.uk

  This content has been Digiproved © 2010 Ostomyland

A 21 year old student from Devonhas been one of the first to undergo the procedure.

For the full story please visit the following page on the Daily Mail (UK) website:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1276821/Me-operation-Stem-cells-bones-healed-gut.html#ixzz0nicQV2FK

  This content has been Digiproved © 2010 Ostomyland

The study that the BBC is reporting about was published in medical journal The Lancet which also suggests that these tests should be rolled out across the UK.

For the full report please check out Clare Murphy’s report on the BBC News website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8647103.stm

  This content has been Digiproved © 2010 Ostomyland

The operation was carried out by Professor Norman Williams at the Royal London Hospital. The surgeon also used muscle that was cut from above the man’s knee and then pulled back to his groin

It’s a fascinating article, and goes to show that in the future it might just be possible to reverse the so called “permanent” colostomy. This certainly takes us one step closer to that dream!

The article was printed in todays Sun newspaper, and you can click on the link below to read the full article over on the Sun website.

Read more: http://bit.ly/sunbionicbottom

Here in the UK, the Birmingham Bullring is hosting an awareness event, featuring stands from many companies and associations. And, thanks to Julie at Breakaway, Ostomyland leaflets will be circulating the stalls too!

Full details of WOD09 can be found on the IOA website.

Useful Links:
International Ostomy Association

Peter Salt, Managing Director, Salts Healthcare, added

“We are delighted to offer a wide range of choice and flexibility for stoma patients.  We have a very ethical and patient-friendly approach with all our products and to know we are changing lives for the better is a key driver for us.  The positive feedback we have received about Harmony Duo will enable to us to continue our research and development to continue to improve lives.”  

To read the full media release from Salts Healthcare, please click on the Read more link below. 

MEDIA RELEASE 

Increased choice and comfort for ostomy patients with launch of new two-piece system 

A new and innovative two-piece device from Salts Healthcare is providing increased choice and significant advantage for stoma patients across the world.  Following the successful launch of the closed version in April last year, a brand new drainable pouch has now been added to this range. 

The new two-piece pouch called Harmony Duo® comes with a choice of either standard wafer or with hydrocolloid surround (a soft and flexible material which is easier on the skin).  The pouch offers twice the benefits of a one-piece bag including fewer changes, more choice and increased freedom.  The new bag is as low-profile, soft and discreet as a one piece and is anatomically shaped to enable more flexibility and comfort for patients.  The hydrocolloid used on all Salts Healthcare pouches has had its research accredited by the British Skin Foundation and Salts is the only Stoma Care company to receive this accreditation. 

One of Salts patients said “I needed a system that was flexible but 100% reliable.”  Harmony Duo is so soft and flexible, with fewer changes so its’ kinder to my skin and allows me to get on with life without worrying.”   

Harmony Duo comes in a wide range of sizes, thereby offering increased choice to patients to enable the interchanging of different sized pouches for activities or different times of the day. It also offer patients additional comfort and discretion as the closure of the pouch is soft and flexible.  It can be securely held in place by hidden hook material for maximum security. 

Harmony Duo® is the latest in a long line of medical advances and developments from the family owned firm, who are known for products such as the Dermacol® stoma collar and other ostomy products such as Confidence®, and SecuPlast®.   

Peter Salt, Managing Director, Salts Healthcare, added “We are delighted to offer a wide range of choice and flexibility for stoma patients.  We have a very ethical and patient-friendly approach with all our products and to know we are changing lives for the better is a key driver for us.  The positive feedback we have received about Harmony Duo will enable to us to continue our research and development to continue to improve lives.”  

Salts Healthcare also has 12 Medilink customer care centres around the UK with a network of stoma care nurses in England, , which provide advice and guidance on stoma care.  The centres are also responsible for delivering stoma supplies direct to patient homes.  

About Harmony Duo®

The Harmony Duo two-piece range offers all the advantages of a one-piece but with all the convenience of a two-piece including fewer changes, more choice and greater freedom for patients.  It is now available in closed and drainable versions. 

About Salts Healthcare 

Salts Healthcare manufacture and supply stoma care and orthotic products.  Salts Healthcare is one of the oldest family-owned companies in the UK and the first company to have received accreditation by the British Skin Foundation for its research into hydrocolloids.  We remain committed to improving the lives of our patients all over the world. By bringing family values into everything we do, we’ve earned a reputation for being one of the friendliest, most approachable companies in healthcare. 

Our aim for the future is to extend our family overseas, continuing our good work by collaborating with global distributors to develop stoma products for international markets. With offices in the UK, Ireland and Europe, Salts Healthcare now provides a truly international service for a global marketplace, while retaining the traditional values that only a highly personalised service can offer.  Salts’ continues to seek and expand its network of distribution partners as part of its ongoing growth strategy.

So far the small scale patient trial has shown remarkable benefit for patients with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. The next step is to extend the trial.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer scientists think that if future trials are positive, olaparib could offer hope to patients with certain types of breast and ovarian cancers that are currently hard to treat. Scientists are already suggesting that it could be used for other forms of cancer with similar characteristics and open the door to a new generation of cancer treatments using the same approach.

They hope that olaparib may also work for some people who do not have a BRCA gene fault.

For more information see these two web articles:
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre Pioneering Work Leads To Patient Trial Of New Generation Cancer Drug

Can you tell me about olaparib?

Dr. Schiller has been performing the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir or BCIR procedure since 1989. The Barnett Pouch procedure evolved out of the original Kock Pouch continent ileostomy. The BCIR is a type of ileostomy that does not require wearing an external stoma appliance or bag. It stores intestinal waste and gas until a convenient time when the person inserts a catheter to evacuate the pouch contents into a toilet receptacle. It therefore gives a patient control over the discharge of their intestinal waste.

The BCIR is for people (usually with Ulcerative Colitis or Familial Polyposis) that need to undergo total colectomy meaning removal of their large intestine – the colon and rectum – to cure their disease or condition. It is an alternative to a conventional Brooke ileostomy with the bag, and also is performed for people who have a poor outcome from an ileoanal “J” Pouch or who cannot undergo the J pouch procedure. Anyone in overall good health with a malfunctioning ileostomy, including people with a stoma hernia or stoma prolapse or retraction, are candidates to be considered for the BCIR continent ileostomy. A malfunctioning ileostomy includes people with physical difficulties managing with their ileostomy appliance as well as people with emotional or psychological difficulties dealing with their stoma. A “bag-free” life is possible for ileostomy patients!

For more information, visit:
http://ileostomy-surgery.com/Ileostomy_and_BCIR_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html

About the Ileostomy Surgery Center:
The Ileostomy Surgery Center is the leading surgical center west of the Mississippi for the BCIR procedure (Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir). Headed by Don J. Schiller, MD, FACS, the center has been at the forefront of developments in ileostomy Surgery.

Contact:
The Ileostomy Surgery Center
9808 Venice Blvd, Suite 603
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 204-4565
Fax: (310) 204-4566
http://www.ileostomy-surgery.com

NB: Ostomyland is not responsible for content outside of its own ostomyland.com/.org domains, and any services featured on Ostomyland are used at your own risk.

That was 17 years ago. Since then Lynn has been campaigning for greater awareness and research into the disease. And the statistics have improved significantly.

In 2002 the voluntary charity Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign was launched to help raise awareness of the disease and to highlight the symptoms to prevent more people dying.

Lynn and her team have a theme – spots. In the same way that ‘pink’ works for Breast Cancer Awareness Lynn hopes ‘spots’ will be synonymous with bowel cancer.

Lynn explains:
“We’ve chosen spots because we want people to know how to spot the symptoms, spot if it is in their family, and spot if screening has started in their area. By going ‘Spotty’ we hope to help break any taboos surrounding this common, and cruel cancer. We can’t afford to be squeamish and shy anymore in talking about bottoms and bowels. We hope people will join in the fun with a serious purpose and hold ‘Spotty’ themed days all over the country.”

For more information and to take part go to the
Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign Website.

Ostomyland goes spotty to recognise the UK's Bowel Cancer Faster Diagnosis Week June 8th - 15th 2009

The article states:
“The barrier’s soft, pliable adhesive is rolled open to fit the desired size and shape with no cutting necessary and then rebounds to gently hug the individual stoma and contours around the stoma for a secure, personalized fit. The proprietary technologies are featured on the company’s SUR-FIT Natura(R) ostomy system, currently available in the U.S. and Canada, and on other brands around the world.

The product was rated “very good” to “excellent” by a high percentage of nurses and participants with an ostomy across a range of criteria including ease of use, adherence and fit, effective skin protection, and overall satisfaction.

Both nurses and participants reported that the product was easy to apply, mold and create a customized fit, and gave it high ratings for effective skin protection.”

See the full article here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151785.php